Beatles 50: The non-hits

Rich Lopez | jrlopez@mrt.com

Published 8:55 am, Thursday, February 6, 2014

Beatles hits have permeated into the pure fabric of pop culture. By accident or design, most anyone in any age group can recognize iconic tunes like “All You Need Is Love” or “Yesterday.” This is what The Beatles became once they entered U.S. shores 50 years ago and turned the nation on with their simplicity and passion in music on The Ed Sullivan Show.

By the end of it all, they released (by some counts) 27 studio albums, not to mention their convoluted discography of UK and American versions, singles, B-sides and all the rest over their history. But with each familiar tune came far more songs that filled the rest of the spaces on their many albums.

We take a look at some of their greatest non-hits that may not ever be in a commercial or a Glee episode, but prove furthermore their genius.

“Ask Me Why”

Released in 1963 as a B-side to the single “Please Please Me” and from the album of the same name, “Ask Me Why” is a charmer of a track evoking an air of blue-eyed Motown. McCartney and Lennon penned many a classic but how can you beat lyrics like “Now you’re mine, my happiness still makes me cry / And in time, you’ll understand the reason why.” The song is nothing short of marvelous.

“Dear Prudence”

Released in 1968, “Dear Prudence” is from “The Beatles” or as most people know it, “The White Album.” Although meant to be uplifting, the premise is an eerie one as Lennon wrote it to his friend Prudence Farrow (Mia’s sister) who fell too deep into meditation as she accompanied the band on their journey to India. Sweet in tone, Lennon begged her Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?

“I Me Mine”

Penned by George Harrison, this is noted as the final track The Beatles every recorded. Harrison called the track a study into ego. Interestingly enough. John Lennon had left the group already so he did not partake in recording which ended up on 1970’s “Let It Be”. Whether Harrison wrote it in response to that is unknown, but with its bluesy guitars and Harrison’s voice, there may be undertones of anger toward Lennon and McCartney.

“If I Needed Someone”

Another non-single penned by Harrison (see a pattern?), this track from the 1965 album “Rubber Soul” was also recorded and released by The Hollies at the same time. Although not a single, the tune was one of the only Harrison tunes performed live through Beatles’ tours. But Harrison clearly expressed his jerky side with lyrics like “Carve your number on my wall and / Maybe you will get a call from me / If I needed someone.” Ouch, dude.

“You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)”

Knowing the title pretty much means knowing the lyrics to this “Let It Be” B-side. Touted as more of a comedy song, it’s a strange mashup more than song with Lennon and McCartney playing with sound and voice effects. It has been noted that the other two Beatles didn’t take part in all the sessions for this so the ears may clearly be witnessing major egos at play while listening to this 1970 track.

“She’s Leaving Home”

From the 1967 album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” McCartney and Lennon switch on their storytelling prowess here big time. A young girl sneaks out of her parents’ home and runs away to meet “a man from the motor trade,” McCartney sings her story while Lennon chimes in as the parents’ lament. Backed by all strings, the men stepped back from their instruments to only lend their vocals.

“Yer Blues”

Although reported to be solely written by Lennon, both he and McCartney were given credit for this drunken track from “The White Album.” Of course, The Beatles would be able to pull off some heavy blues. They were that good. So much so, even Ringo Starr had been quoted as enjoying playing the song. Now that’s something when he steps up.

“For No One”

How this wasn’t a single is incredible. McCartney brings it home with this heartbreaker from 1966’s “Revolver.” Not a ballad so much, this is painful stuff. A relationship on the brink, McCartney details pain precisely with “She no longer needs you / And in her eyes you see nothing.” That’s a shot through the heart.

“Hey Bulldog”

This isn’t a single for a reason. It’s just not as good, but the exchange between McCartney and Lennon toward the end signifies their bubble that likely alienated Harrison and Starr. They go off the rails with woofs and howls and maniacal laughs. The song appeared on 1969’s “Yellow Submarine.”

“Across The Universe”

Bet you thought this was an official hit with all its covers and even a movie with this title, but no. However, it should be considered a moment of brilliance for The Beatles. Lennon admitted he thought McCartney tried to sabotage his song in his vocalizing, but there isn’t a faulty note here. The tone is tender, and that Sanskrit chant elevates the song just oh-so slightly to a higher plane of listening. Originally released on “No One’s Gonna Change Our World,” a compilation album for charity in 1969, the song would be redone for the group’s final album “Let It Be.”